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Essential Oils in Cooking

Adding essential oils to your favorite recipes can have a number of important health benefits. They can also add a special flavor to your dishes. Many of you know the benefits of cooking with coconut oil or using olive oil in recipes. However, did you know that there are also a number of essential oils that are great for cooking? This is good news because essential oils have a wide range of therapeutic effects.

One drop like a handful of spices

You should add the oil at the very end of the preparation and the dish must not be very hot because the aromatic and healing properties of the essential oil could be lost due to the action of heat. When using essential oils in cooking, do not put them directly into the water as they do not dissolve so they will remain concentrated in one place in the dish. Instead, it is good to mix them with some emulsifiers like vegetable oil, honey, milk, egg yolk, butter, rum or cream. You can also prepare teas, juices and cocktails (such as Mojito) this way.

Essential oils have a higher concentration of natural active substances than fresh herbs and one drop can replace a handful of finely chopped spices. Therefore, everyone who suspects that they have or already have an allergy should watch their intake of essential oils. For example, if you are allergic to parsley, by consuming parsley essential oil, intolerance to this spice will intensify even more.

Also, all essential oils, especially in fresh food, can be mild preservatives but also digestive regulators because they stimulate the secretion of digestive juices.

Some oils should not be added to food

If you overdo with adding essential oils, the food or drink may become bitter or have an overly intense smell and taste. Some essential oils, such as peppermint and eucalyptus, due to menthol and alpha-pinene substances they contain, provide an increased feeling of cooling and are ideal for cold dishes and salads. Other essential oils such as ginger and nutmeg provide a feeling of warmth and are ideal for warm food combinations.

Keep in mind that there are some essential oils, such as cinnamon (leaf and bark), which due to their high concentration of cinnamaldehyde can irritate the mucous membranes of the oral cavity and stomach, so their oral use is not recommended. In cooking, it is enough to use cinnamon powder because it will give each cake a familiar holiday flair, without any harmful consequences.

Oils in Cooking

Best Essential Oils to add to your dish

Soups: coriander, nutmeg, rosemary

Salads: lemon, orange, thyme, ginger, coriander, rosemary

Stews: basil, coriander, tarragon, laurel, black pepper

Meat: thyme, tarragon

Fish: tarragon, ginger, thyme, nutmeg, laurel, lemon

Fresh Cheese: basil, coriander

Pasta: basil, coriander

Sauces: orange, thyme, rosemary, lemon, mandarin

Cakes: mandarin, peppermint, orange, ylang-ylang, ginger

Cold Drinks: lavender, lemon, peppermint, coriander

Hot Drinks: nutmeg, orange, ginger

Caution:

It is important to note that consuming essential oils is still a controversial topic. Due to the fact that they are highly concentrated and it is considered that consuming some of them can be unsafe. Do not consume any of the oils above certain amounts. Some are definitely not safe to consume and should not be used for cooking. Before adding any essential oils to your food, it is a good idea to consult a naturopath or other healthcare professional.

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Healthy Eating during Pandemic

The world is currently facing one of the most difficult periods in recent history. Covid-19 is the common enemy, the enemy that captured us all in one or another way. Literally, most of the countries declared a state of emergency. This affects most of our life aspects. Our health is in danger. However, we can help ourselves and take care of our health and eating healthy. Don’t forget about your exercise too!

It is advisable to get as much fluid intake and a light diet. Here are some good examples: homemade soup, broth, fish, chicken, turkey, lots of fruits and vegetables.

10 Recommended Healthy Foods to Boost your Immune System

1. Garlic

It has great medicinal value with its antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal activity. This miracle-working vegetable contains calcium, potassium and sulfur compounds that affect the release of unwanted bacteria. It should be a must-have ingredient for all kinds of dishes and salads.

2. Avocado

Did you know that avocado is called ‘the most perfect grocery’? Nutritionists say that it contains all the ingredients that human needs to normally function. This magical fruit contributes to the prevention of Alzheimer’s, cancer, heart disease, diabetes and many other problems. Avocado contains monounsaturated fats, folate, lutein, oleic acid and potassium, a large amount of fiber and lots of vitamins. Considering all of this you can get the picture of how avocado affects the human body.

3. Honey

Healthy Food

Honey is known to be a natural antioxidant with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. If you caught a cold, use honey, linden if possible, dissolve in a cup of warm milk and drink it. It is advisable to add some lemon juice as well. Milk should not be hot because nutrients of honey are lost at high temperatures.

4. Ginger

Another multi-beneficial plant, it has an anti-inflammatory effect and is usually recommended in the form of teas. Cut a piece of ginger about 2 cm in length and cook for 2 minutes in 200 ml of water and drink it cool as tea, sweeten with honey.

5. Turmeric

Not only does it add flavor to the meal but turmeric has been proven to be excellent at combating infections and inflammation by preventing the harmful effects of free radicals. You can add it to your soup or tea. It is also great on potatoes. 🙂

6. Red Paprika

You already heard that vitamin C is essential for boosting the immune system. Did you know that red paprika contains twice as much vitamin C content as in citruses? Powerful vegetable, right?!

7. Salmon

Healthy Food

Salmon contains high protein content which is why it is an excellent ingredient for the production of essential ingredients, such as omega 3 fatty acids, that are necessary for T-cell activation. The higher the number of T-cells, the less likely you are to become ill.

8. Brussels sprout

Not only does the vegetable provide a ton of nutrients but it also prevents cell damage. Half a cup of this amazing plant is enough to provide half the recommended daily vitamin C value.

9. Fruit and vegetable juices

Naturally squeezed fruit and vegetable juices contain significant amounts of Vitamin C, beta-carotene and minerals that increase the body’s resistance to infection. Lemonade is a great choice (with warm water and honey to soothe a sore throat), then orange juice, grapefruit, apples, carrots, beets, spinach.

10. Teas

Hot honey-sweetened tea causes sweating which is a great part of the therapy in conditions of colds. Teas are rich in antioxidants that prevent and alleviate cold symptoms. Green tea, chamomile, hibiscus, these are all great choices. The cough suppressant teaspoons are white mallow and linden, and the ones that make it easy to cough are auricula, thyme, plantain.

Essential oils

They might be very helpful in fighting viruses with food. Some of the oils that you can use in the kitchen are lemon, orange, nutmeg, ginger, tangerine, sage, lemongrass, grapefruit, peppermint, cinnamon, oregano, lime, rosemary, cloves, basil, rose, cumin, cardamom, estragon.

Adding essential oils to your favorite recipes can have many important health benefits. They can also add a special flavor to your dishes. However, you should be careful and follow the instructions for every specific oil!

All of these groceries are very healthy and we should add it to our menu as often as possible.

Stay home during these difficult pandemic times! Work on yourself by learning something new, play your favorite instrument, read books, play with your kids and take care of your family. And don’t forget to eat healthily and to do some exercise.

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